Hampshire gave the Patriots all they could handle, though, as Washington eked out a 42-40 victory over the Trojans.

Meanwhile, Hedgesville was having its way with Mercersburg, Pa., on the adjacent mat inside the Washington High School gymnasium.

Hedgesville and Washington both beat Hampshire and Mercersburg, setting up a battle of unbeatens in a de facto championship match, which Washington took 48-36.

"The kids have been working hard all week, and it feels good to go 3-0," Washington coach Codie Gustines said.

Washington is in its fourth year as a school, and as a wrestling program. And after having its own growing pains, a bit like Hampshire is having now, the Patriots are ready to take the next step.

"We've been a young team for so long," Gustines said, "and now we're on top."

Washington's overall victory was even more impressive because of the fact the Patriots were without last year's Class AAA 140-pound state champion Dylan Ceravalo, who was sick.

"It was tough," Gustines said. "We had to make a few adjustments to our lineup, and a couple JV kids had to step up. But the other guys on the team had to step up, too, and get pins and those major decisions and get bonus points."

Every match between Hedgesville and Washington was decided by pinfall, as the Eagles' Dorian Jones (152) started things out with a decisive win over Zane Bradbury.

Jones, who hurt his left leg at the Jefferson Invitational Tournament on Jan. 6 was back with a vengeance, showing no ill effects of the injury.

"It's not hurting as much anymore," said Jones, who was 3-0. "I'll be 100 percent real soon."

Washington junior Ashby Heath secured a key victory at 220 pounds over D.J. Skaggs, as a Heath failed headlock attempt left him on his back, and Skaggs close to a pin. Heath then reversed Skaggs, got him on his back and got the win.

It was just a microcosm of the match between the two.

"We just didn't match up very well with them," Hedgesville coach Bill Whittington said. "They came out of the starting gate kickin', and they've got - and you can print this - a really good shot at winning that regional tournament. They've got a couple kids that can go deep. They're well-coached, and a great bunch of kids, and that was the difference."